Vintage Londoner with retrocentric tastes. Interested in the uncommon,artistic,cultural and visual life of this old tart of a city and its tawdry glamour. Tinctured with cocktails, swear words and the odd rant. I'm friendly but bolshy and my opinions are honest and sponsor-free. P.R and marketing types please see 'About Me'.
redlegsinsoho@me.com

Thursday, 8 September 2011

Vista Cocktail Bar

The Vista Bar sits atop the Trafalgar Hotel and lives up to it's name. It without doubt has the best rooftop views in this part of London that are available to the public. Moreover it is a cocktail bar, with comfy seating, sharp service and let me repeat: cocktails. It was the cocktails I was there to sample. The Bar is reflecting the approaching silliness which descends on London during London Fashion Week with some specially designed drinks. Some out there might be unaware of LFW, it takes the city over but in a transcendental sci fi way with most normal residents pretty unaware of it whilst part of the city goes nuts in their midst. Drinks are an integral part of the whole thing, along with freebies and mwah mwahs. Fortunately on this foray I was accompanied by the highly fashionable and extremely well connected Katie Chutzpah who runs the very best blog commentary on the whole thing which kicks off in mid September.

I do know London and I do know my drinks. I can happily declare that the bar has only one bad point, predictably it's price point (highish) however this is offset by the views, the fact that you can reserve a table and the quality of the service. Decor wise it seemed to nod towards the eighties and early 90's Ibiza lounge gecko styling. But who needs 'retro' interiors when you have such a retro view all around. Perfect place to start a special night out on the town or treat country visitors. And just in case you were worrying there are heaters to employ on a chilly evening.

On to the drinks which are pictured in various states of being drunk. The easy drinking option was surprisingly the blue option. Blue curacao gets a bad rap, it is what gets added to it that makes you feel dodgy the next morning, not the 'blue stuff'. Here it gave a zingy colour to what was basically a champagne cocktail. The final cocktail, pictured below was my favourite, an unusual combination that included mozart dark choc liqueur and absinthe. I can't remember the name of the cocktails, my long tipsy night resulted in my losing the paperwork (my excuse for everything) but I rated the staff for niceness and professionalism, and need I, once again mention the view? Honestly the place is perfect for those fashionistas about to descend on the city but the place welcomes we mere boozy mortals too.